Electric switch.



F. BARR.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10. 19|3.

1,158,426. Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Human F. BARR.

ELECTRIC SWlTCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10. 1913.

1,158,426. Pamnted Nov. 2, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- I/WE/VTUR i arr,

FBEDEBIC BARB, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application filed Kay 10, 1913. Serial No. 766,666.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Fnnnnmo BARR, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and residing at New York, in the county of Kings and State ofNew York, have 1nvented new and useful Improvements in ElectricSwitches, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates particularly to switches of the so-calledlever type wherein an intermittent step by step movement is imparted toa rotatable circuit closing member through the medium of an oscillatingswitch operating lever, the broad objects of the invention being toprovide a simple, practical and inexpensive switch construction of thisenera'l type.

An especial ob ect of the invention is to provide simple and practicalmechanism for indicating the open and closed circuit conditions of theswitch. In the accomplishment of this latter object I propose to mount aswitch indicator direct upon the under-side of the cover or casing whichincloses the switch parts and to operate the said indicator by means ofan upstanding pawl on the switch lever en aging with dependent ratchetteeth on the indicator. By this means a step by step movement is giventhe indicator in accordance with the movement which is imparted at thesame time to the circuit closing switch member. In the form of theinvention here disclosed the ratchet teeth are provided in the form ofinclined spring fingers on the underside of the indicator and the pawlconsists of a lug upstanding from the switch operating lever, having anabrupt face to positively engage the ends of the spring fingers in theforward stroke of the lever and an inclined end surface to slide alongunder the spring fingers on the reverse or backward movement of thelever. The switch lever is provided with a handle, chain or like meansfor operating the same and as this operating means is usually projectedout through the side of the switch cover the top of the cover may beleft whole or imperferate, except for a small window opening forexposing the indicator.

Another feature of the invention consists in making the insulating baseof the switch in a single piece and with an integral upstanding rimsubstantially inclosing the entire switch mechanism, this rim having asegmental recess therein to receive the operating lever and the endwalls of this recess serving as stops to limit the oscillation of the vlever.. These stops serve also as a protective meansto prevent the leverfrom engaging with circuit terminals which are located in recesses dsposed in back of the said stops.

Var1ous other features of the invention Wlll appear as the specificationproceeds.

The drawings accompanying this specificat1on illustrate two concreteembodiments of the invention but it will be understood that theinvention is susceptible of various changes and modifications and Iwould have it understood further that the terms employed herein areterms of description rather than of limitation except so far as may berequired by the prior art.

Figure 1, is a plan view of a switch construction in accordance with andembodymg the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view with the cover andindicator removed. Fig. 3, is a slde View looking upward in Fig. 1. Fig.4, is a. cross sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line44 of Fig. 2, with the cover and indicator in place. Fig. 5, is a detailperspective View of the indicator. Fig. 6, is an inside view of thecover showing the indicator attached thereto. Fig. 7, is a bottom planview of the insulating base. Fig. 8, is a drop perspective view of theentire switch mechanism including the operating lever and the base onwhich the parts are mounted. Fig. 9, is a top view of the insulatingbase alone. Fig. 10, is a plan View of another form of the switch, inwhich a chain is used for operating the switch lever. In this view thecover and the chain guide are shown in section, the section being takensubstantially on the plane of the line 10--10 in Fig. 11. Fig. 11, is aside view of this form of switch looking upward in Fig. 10. Fig. 12, isa similar side view with the cover lifted. Fig. 13, is a bottom view ofthe insulating base. Fig. 14, is a cross taken substantially on theplane of the line plane of the line 14-44 of Fig. 10. Fig. 15, is aperspective view of the switch operating member used in this second formof the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the numeral 15 designates aninsulating base of porcelain or the like material for the support of theswitch mechanism. The switch mechanism illustrated consists of a centralrigid post or spindle 16 upon which there is mounted a rotatable switchmember 17 adapted to engage the relatively fixed inclined switchcontacts 18 and 19 which are disposed at opposite sides of the spindle.This rotatable switch member may be insulated from the spindle by meansof an insulating disk 20, the disk being rotatably engaged on thespindle and the switch member having an angular shaped opening 21therein to engage a correspondingly shaped boss on the underside of thedisk so that the switch member will be carried by and rotate with thedisk. The switch member is rotated with an intermittent step by stepmovement by means of an oscillatin switch operating lever 22 which has ahu portion 23 pivotally engaged on the spindle. A pawl and ratchetconnection serves as the means for converting the oscillating movementsof the lever into the step by step movements of the switch member, suchconnection being here provided in the form of downwardly struck pawls 24on the hub of the lever which engage the shoulders 25 of the ratchetplate 26, this ratchet plate being attached to the disk 20 which carriesthe switch member by having an angular opening 27 which engages over thecorrespondingly shaped boss 28 on the top of the disk. A spring 29mounted on the spindle and engaging the switch operating lever and afixed abutment 30 serves to return and normally hold the lever in theposition of rest shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. The abutment in this case isshown as a notched nut screwed on the up per end of the spindle. Byengagin the upper end of the spring in the di erent notches in this nutthe tension of the spring may be adjusted at will.

The means for indicating the circuit condition of the switch, is here inthe form of an indicator dial 31, attached to and carried by the coveror casing 32 which incloses the switch mechanism. This dial is shownrotatably secured on the underside of the cover bv means of a centralrivet 33 and as bearing suitable indications 34 on its face visiblethrough a sight opening 35 in the top of the cover near one edgethereof. A pawl and ratchet connection between the switch operatinglever and the indicator provides a means for effecting a step by steprotation of the indicator corresponding to the step by step movementimparted by the lever to the movable switch member. This connection ishere shown as a series of ratchet teeth formed by the inclined springarms 36 struck down from the dial plate and an upstanding rigid pawl 37carried by the switch operating lever. This rigid pawl has an abruptfront face 38 which makes positive engagement with the free dependentends of the spring ratchet teeth in the forward movement of the leverand a rearwardly inclined end surface 39 adapted to slide along underthe spring arms upon the reverse or retractive movement of the lever.The indicator is by suitable means held against retractive movementduring this reverse movement of the lever and the means for this urposeis here the frictional enga ement o the indicator with the undersi e ofthe cover. A friction washer 40 may be interposed between the dial andthe under surface of the cover to make the frictional hold a morepositive one. An insulating lining 41 for the cover is usually providedand the e es of this lining may, by engaging with the 1ndicator (Fig.4), serve to assist in holding the indicator against reverse movement.

The operation will be clear from the foregoing and it will be seen thatthe same movement of the switch operating lever which serves to impart acircuit-opening or circuitclosing movement to the movable switch memberserves also through the ratchet connection to impart a rotary movementto the indicator corresponding to the movement imparted to the switchmember. Upon the return or retractive movement of the switch lever themovable switch member remains in the position to which it has just beenturned and the indicator being held against retractive movement alsoremains in the position to which it has been turned and therefore givesindication of the true condition of the switch. Reverse movement of theswitch member is prevented in the present instance by making the basewith shoulders 42 which are engaged by the dependent and rearwardlyinclined contact making arms 43 of the switch member 17.

The switch operating lever, is, in the form of the invention justdescribed, provided with an operating handle 44 which extends outthrough a slot or opening 45 in the side of the cover and as thisopening in the side of the switch housing is the only opening needed forthe operating parts of the switch, the top of the cover may be madeentirely closed and imperforate except for the window opening which maybe provided for the indicator dial. The'cover is secured upon the baseby suitable means, such means here taking the form of screws 46 in thesides of the cover which pass inward into engage- Lnent with therecesses 47 provided in the ase.

For the purpose of protecting the switch mechanism the base is shownprovided with a central recess or depression 48 in which the switchparts are seated. The base is preferably made in one single piece and toafford further protection to the switch parts it may be made with anintegral upstanding annular rim 49 substantially surrounding andinclosing the switch mechanism. This rim has a segmental portion 50recessed or cut away to receive the operating lever and the opposite endwalls 51 and 52 of this passed up through the bottom of the base intoengagement with the angular feet 53 and 54' of the two terminals. Thecircuit wires are connected with the terminals by passing them upthrough the openings 57 and 58 in the bottom of the base. The circuitterminals are, as shown in Fig. 2, disposed on opposite sides of theswitch spindle and to preclude any possibility of the switch lever evercontacting with the circuit terminals I have shown these terminals asseated in recesses 59 and 60 in the rim 49 disposed in rear of or behindthe insulating stops 51 and 52. As the movable switch member isinsulated from the spindle, the spindle carries no current andconsequently the switch operating lever pivoted on the spindle carriesno current. The engagement of the pawl on the operating lever with theindicator dial therefore does not carry any current to the dial or tothe cover on which the dial is mounted.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 10 to 14 I have shown how theswitch operating member or lever may be actuated by a cord or chaininsteadof a projecting handle as in the first form. In these views 61designates the switch operating lever and 62 the chain connected to saidlever for actuating the same. This chain passes out through the side ofthe switch housing and is preferably guided in. its movements by beingpassed through a tubular guide member 63. This chain guide is forattachment purposes provided with a base plate 64 having an angular footportion 65 adapted to fit in a recess 66 shaped to receive it, formed inthe base, a screw 67 being passed up through the bottom of the base intoengagement with the foot of the chain guide to secure the guide inplace. The cover 68 in this case is slotted at 69 to fit over the neckportion 70 of the guide. The engagement of the foot of the chain guidein the correspondingly shaped recess 66 in the base holds the chainguide against twisting or turning and the base plate 64 by engaging withthe insulating stop 52 (as shown in Fig. 10) serves to further bracetheguide. The side of the cover, by engaging down over the outside of thebase plate 64, as illustrated in Figs. 11, 12 and 13 acts to brace thechain guide against any outward pull. In Fig. 10 it will be noted howthe cover fits the marginal rim 49 of the base.

What I claim is 1. In an electric switch, the combination of a movableswitch member, an oscillating switch operating member operativelyconnected with the switch member, a movable switch indicator andconnections between the oscillating switch operating member and the saidmovable indicator whereby said indicator will be moved by the operatingmember in accordance with the movement imparted by said oscillatingoperating member to the movable switch member.

2. In an electric switch, the combination of a rotatable switch member,an oscillating switch operating member operatively connected with saidrotatable member, a rotatable switch indicator and operating connectionsfrom the oscillating switch operating member to the rotatable switchindicator whereby said indicator will be rotated by the oscillatingoperating member in accordance with the rotary movement imparted by saidmember to the rotatable switch member.

3. In an electric switch, the combination of a movable switch member, anoscillating switch operating member operatively connected with theswitch member, a rotatable switch indicator and connections from theoscillating switch operating member to the rotatable switch indicatorwhereby said indicator will be rotated by the oscillating operatingmember in the operation of the switch member by said operating member.

4. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base, switchmechanism mounted thereon, an oscillating lever operatively connectedwith the switch mechanism, a cover applied to the base and inclosing theswitch mechanism, an indicator pivotally supported on the cover and apawl and ratchet connection between the switch operating lever andindicator whereby as the said lever is oscillated the indicator will berotated with a step by step movement.

5. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base, switchmechanism mounted thereon, an oscillating lever operatively connectedwith the switch mechanism, a cover applied to the base and inclosing theswitch mechanism, an indicator pivotally supported on the cover andprovided with dependent ratchet teeth and an upstanding pawl carried bythe operating lever engaging the ratchet teeth to efl'ect a step by steprotation of the indicator as the lever is oscillated.

6. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base, switchmechanism mounted thereon, an oscillating lever opcratively connectedwith the switch mechanism, a cover inclosing the switch mechanism andprovided with an opening therein, an indicator pivoted on the undersideof the cover and visible through the opening in the cover. the saidindicator having dependent inclined spring fingers, and a pawl carriedby the operating lever engaging the spring fingers to effect a step bystep rotation of the indicator as the lever is oscillated.

7. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base, switchmechanism mounted thereon, an oscillating lever operatively connectedwith the switch mechanism, a cover applied to the base and inclosing theswitch mechanism, an indicator pivotally supported on the underside ofthe cover and normally held against rotation by frictional engagementwith the cover, a series of dependent ratchet teeth on the indicator,and a pawl carried by the operating lever engaging the ratchet teeth toeffect a step by step rotation of the indicator as the lever isoscillated.

8. In an electric switch, the combination of a movable switch member, anoscillating switch operating lever operatively connected with the switchmember, a cover applied to the base having an imperforate top providedwith an indicator opening near one edge thereof, an indicator pivoted onthe underside of the cover having a part visible through the opening inthe cover, operating means for oscillating the switch lever extendingout through one side of the cover, and a pawl and ratchet connectionbetween the said lever and the indicator for effecting a step by steprotation of the indicator as the lever is oscillated.

9. In combination, an insulating base, switch mechanism mounted thereon,an oscillating switch lever operatively connected with the switchmechanism, a rotatable indicator provided with spring ratchet teeth, anda pawl upstanding from the switch operating lever provided with anabrupt forward face to positively engage the ends of the ratchet teethon the forward stroke of the lever and an inclined end surface to slideunder the spring ratchet teeth upon the reverse stroke of the operatinglever.

10. In an electric switch, an lnsulating base provided with a marginalrim and having a circular recess in the front for the switch mechanismand passages for the condoctors at opposite sides of the circularrecess, inclined switch contacts in said recess, circuit terminalsextending from said contacts in said recess out beyond the walls thereofadjacent the passages aforesaid, a rotating switch contact, anoscillating operating member therefor and a cover fitting the rim ofsaid base and inclosing the switc mechanism.

11. Inan electric switch, a base having a marginal rim, relatively fixedcontacts mounted on the base, circuit terminals connected to saidcontacts, a spindle carried by the base between the contacts, arotatable contact on the spindle arranged to engage the relatively fixedcontacts, a ratchet for operating the rotatable contact, a cover fittingthe rim of the base and inclosing the switch mechanism, anoperatingmember for the ratchet extending through one side of the coverand screws passing through the cover into the base to detachably securethe cover to the base.

12. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating basehaving amarginal rim, switch mechanlsm mounted on said base, an oscillatin leveroperatively connected with the switch mechanism, a chain connected tosaid lever, a tubular guide for the chain having an upstanding baseplate in line with the marginal rim of the base, the said base platehaving an angular foot and the base having a recess shaped to receivethe said foot to thereby hold the chain guide against turning, a screwpassed u through the base and engaging the angu ar foot of the guide tosecure the guide as thus seated in the recem, a cover fitting the rim ofthe base and engaging over the outside of the base plate to brace thesame against outward pull on the chain guide, the said cover having aslot therein to engage over the neck portion of the chain guide andmeans detachably securing the cover to the base.

13. In an electric switch, the combination of switch mechanism includinga. movable switch member, a switch operating member operativelyconnected with the movable switch member, a movable switch indicatoradjacent the switch. operating member and a pawl and ratchet connectionfrom said operating member to the said indicator whereby the indicatorwill be shifted according to the movement of the movable switch member.

14. In an electric switch, the combination with a movable switch memberand a movable switch indicator of a. switch operating member interposedbetween the switch memher and the switch indicator, a pawl and ratchetconnection from said operating member to the switch member at one sideof the same and a pawl and ratchet connection from said operating memberto the indicator at the opposite side of said operating member wherebythe switch indicator will be operated in accordance with the movementimparted to the switch member.

15. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating base, switchmechanism mounted thereon, an oscillatin lever operatively connectedwith the switc mechanism, a cover applied to the base and inclosing theswitch mechanism, a pivotally mounted switch indicator, operating meansfor oscillating the switch lever extending out through one side of thecover and a W1 and ratchet connection betwen the said ever and theindicator for eifecting a step by step rotation of the indicator as thelever is as cillated.

16. In an electric switch, the combination of an insulating baseprovided with an up standing marginal rim, switch mechanism mounted onsaid base within the said rim, an operating member operatively connectedwith said switch mechanism, a chain connected with said operatingmember, a tubular guide for the chain, mounted on the base and providedwith an upstanding base plate in line with the marginal rim on the base,and a cover secured to the base and fitting down over the marginal rimon the base and guide and said cover having a slot in the 15 edgethereof to engage over the projecting neck portion of the chain guide.

FREDERIC BARR. Witnesses:

W. H. FREEMAN, APPLE'roN SMITH.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,158,426, grantedNovember 2,

1915, upon the application of Frederic Barr, of New York, N. Y., for animprovement in Electric Switches, errors apbear in the printedspecification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 99, afterthe word cross insert the words sectional 'mletu; same page, line 100,strike out the words plane of the line; and

that the said Letters Patent should be read with these correctionstherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Ofiioe.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of November, A. D., 1915.

[smrh] J. T. NEWTON,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. Cl. 175290.

